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Manchester United are eyeing midfield reinforcements next with a defensive midfielder high on INEOS’ agenda with Casemiro earmarked for a departure.
Last season, the Brazilian was a huge disappointment and despite mending fences with Erik ten Hag, the new co-owners want to move him on to clear up the wage bill.
Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain seems to be the preferred target with the tenacious tackler agreeing personal terms with the Red Devils who have failed to match the Ligue 1 side’s asking price thus far.
They are unlikely to pay as much and are hopeful of a price reduction as the summer window progresses. Among the alternatives, Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has been mentioned often.
United open to paying full release clause
The 25-year-old was one of the stars of the recently-concluded European Championships, playing a key role as a second-half substitute to help Spain defeat England in the final.
It would take a lot of money to take the player out of his hometown club and as relayed by Football Transfers, the 20-time English league champions are open to paying the midfield maestro’s release clause of €60 million.
United’s earlier cheeky bid was deemed as not enough and with Ten Hag “a big admirer” of the Spaniard, INEOS are open to paying the release clause in full.
Zubimendi is considered an “ideal replacement” for the former Real Madrid superstar and the team from Donostia-San Sebastian are open to concluding a deal with United.
Barcelona and fierce rivals Arsenal are also eyeing the Spain international but have so far not managed to cough up the money required with new Barca boss Hansi Flick instead looking at a different profile for his midfield.
Race on for Zubimendi
The Spaniard scored four times while also assisting one from a deep-lying position last season with his passing ability and his positioning proving crucial for Sociedad.
He was scouted heavily over the course of the last season and Ten Hag saw the player’s ability first-hand in his debut season when the team from Anoeta came to Old Trafford and emerged triumphant.
It remains to be seen what the team from Old Trafford do if PSG do reduce their asking price for their Uruguayan midfielder.
The La Liga side’s manager Imanol Alguacil is keen for the saga regarding his most prized star to end so that he can focus on the upcoming season.
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